Useless Audax Organiser

Ian Blake said:

My first 100km Audax (Across Rhondda) finished on Saturday.

A disaster.

5 Entries.
1 DNS
1 Entry on the line
3 DNF
2 Finished on time.

1 Direct error on the route sheet.
R@T which should of been L@T

This did not cause any problem.

1 Correct but apparently confusing direction

1 Info control that confused all of them.
Info: Near St Mary Church: What is the distance on the signpost to
Eglwys Brewis?

St Mary Church is the village nearest to the Info control but they
expected to be near a church and concluded they were in the wrong
place.

Why make it so ambiguous ? I presume you didn't realise it could be
misconstrued. It's not a treasure hunt, Perhaps "Near the village of St
Mary Church" might have been preferred. I did a 200 in February and
the info question referred to a company sign post which had been
removed since the route was checked. No one got it, we spent 15 minutes
looking for it too. Good job its not a race.

Quoted message said:

1st Control stopped serving food when they arrived

This could have been checked surely.

Quoted message said:

2nd Control in a pub did not do food during the shoestring Saturday
afternoon service.

as above.

Quoted message said:

Must do better next year.

I'd be prepared for less entries.

Quoted message said:

My 200k (Ride 'Round Rhondda) had some minor errors and a L which was
described as L@T which caused some difficulty. 18 from 19 finished,
evenly spread out from 6:55 to 10:06pm. I am not sure if the DNF
started. He certainly abandoned early. Success.

Hurrah !! Well done

I'm glad I took over a thriving ride with a ready made route sheet;
must be a nightmare to have to do one from scratch and wait for the
entries to trickle in (although if I get a trickle this year I shall
just decamp the whole event to the pub next door)

In article <[email hidden]>,

MSeries () said:

Why make it so ambiguous ? I presume you didn't realise it could be
misconstrued. It's not a treasure hunt, Perhaps "Near the village of St
Mary Church" might have been preferred. I did a 200 in February and
the info question referred to a company sign post which had been
removed since the route was checked. No one got it, we spent 15 minutes
looking for it too. Good job its not a race.

Had a few like that. "What brand of petrol does the garage in Stanford-
in-the-Vale sell?" I don't know whether it was /meant/ to be a trick
question, but said garage wasn't selling ANY brand of petrol at the
time...

"How many diamonds does B&B x have?" There was only one building
between the junctions bracketing that info, and it wasn't a B&B (next
controller confirmed it had turned back into a farm)

"What is the name of the butcher's shop in Yattendon?" Couldn't find
it; ill-disposed to go back. Solution was to peer earnestly at someone
else's brevet card at the finish before handing in my own :-)

--
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/>
Although the hippopotamus hath no sting in its tail, the wise man would
rather be seated upon the back of a bee.

On Wed, 17 May 2006 16:08:05 +0100, Dave Larrington
<[email hidden]> wrote:

<info controls>

Quoted message said:

Had a few like that. "What brand of petrol does the garage in Stanford-
in-the-Vale sell?" I don't know whether it was /meant/ to be a trick
question, but said garage wasn't selling ANY brand of petrol at the
time...

"How many diamonds does B&B x have?" There was only one building
between the junctions bracketing that info, and it wasn't a B&B (next
controller confirmed it had turned back into a farm)

"What is the name of the butcher's shop in Yattendon?" Couldn't find
it; ill-disposed to go back. Solution was to peer earnestly at someone
else's brevet card at the finish before handing in my own :-)

The approach used on a Pam Pilbeam (I think) organised ride, is that
she tells you the answers when you get back.

Tim

Dave Larrington said:

"What is the name of the butcher's shop in Yattendon?" Couldn't find
it; ill-disposed to go back.

That's probably because you were meant to be looking for a greengrocer. ;-)

(I presume you /are/ talking about the Kennett Valley Run?)

d.

In article <[email hidden]>, davek ([email hidden])

Quoted message said:

Dave Larrington said:

"What is the name of the butcher's shop in Yattendon?" Couldn't find
it; ill-disposed to go back.

That's probably because you were meant to be looking for a greengrocer. ;-)

(I presume you /are/ talking about the Kennett Valley Run?)

I am, but whatever variety of shop my aging memory-branes are failing to
recall, the only one I saw was a post office-cum-general store.
However, my eyesight was sufficiently unaffected by Wind to be able to
read Nik Windle's brevet card :-)

--
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/>
Although the hippopotamus hath no sting in its tail, the wise man would
rather be seated upon the back of a bee.

On 17 May 2006 07:09:55 -0700, "MSeries" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Ian Blake said:

My first 100km Audax (Across Rhondda) finished on Saturday.

A disaster.

1 Info control that confused all of them.
Info: Near St Mary Church: What is the distance on the signpost to
Eglwys Brewis?

St Mary Church is the village nearest to the Info control but they
expected to be near a church and concluded they were in the wrong
place.

Why make it so ambiguous ? I presume you didn't realise it could be
misconstrued. It's not a treasure hunt, Perhaps "Near the village of St
Mary Church" might have been preferred. I did a 200 in February and
the info question referred to a company sign post which had been
removed since the route was checked. No one got it, we spent 15 minutes
looking for it too. Good job its not a race.

Yes nor would most Cardiff riders who know St Mary Church is a village
in the vale even if some confuse it with St Mary Hill.

The place will be "Vale Of Glamorgan" next time. The selected
signpost is in the middle of nowhere but easy to get to by the
routesheet.

They said it confused them but they all wrote the right answer on the
Brevet card.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

1st Control stopped serving food when they arrived

This could have been checked surely.

They were warned that the cafe stopped serving food shortly after
12noon When I selected the time for the audax I was aware the cafe
closed at 1pm. The minimum speed 13.33 kph was chosen to ensure they
arrived by 1pm. I was not aware the food stopped quite so early when
I set the start time and speed. The shop/newsagent part of the cafe
could supply crisps and chocolate but that is not what I intended.

I will solve the first control problem by setting them off at 9am
rather than 10am.

The control was also used by the 200k and food was available in large
affordable quantities when they arrived.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

2nd Control in a pub did not do food during the shoestring Saturday
afternoon service.

as above.

You don't really need a second food control on a 100k at 80k. Drink
and a rest is all that is needed. Again this control was successful
on the 200k.

I will try again to find a middle control. (Tricky finding a watering
hole where they can safely leave their bikes. 99.99% of Rhondda people
are great but as in all urban areas someone in the other 0.01% may
nick a bike). I decided against using the Rhondda Fawr Sports Centre
which is in the perfect position because of the theft risk. A place
with cars coming in and out is a bad place to leave a bike unlocked as
the majority of Audax riders do.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Must do better next year.

I'd be prepared for less entries.

Feedback from the DNFs was very positive, A great route apparently. I
will probably get more. I plan to add to the DATC next year. Maybe I
will change the date to avoid a big clash. There are many 100k riders
who will avoid any ride with AAA points which keeps the numbers lower
than the ride deserves.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My 200k (Ride 'Round Rhondda) had some minor errors and a L which was
described as L@T which caused some difficulty. 18 from 19 finished,
evenly spread out from 6:55 to 10:06pm. I am not sure if the DNF
started. He certainly abandoned early. Success.

Hurrah !! Well done

This was the main event I only added the 100k in consideration of less
capable riders. The 200k is one of the most difficult 200s in the
calendar. "Down the British" on Sunday was affected with three good
riders entered as two DNS and one DNF although two managed both rides.
There would probably have been more trying both if anybody could find
accomodation in Cardiif on Saturday night. Not normally a problem but
there was a football match.

Dave Larrington said:

In article <[email hidden]>, davek ([email hidden])

Quoted message said:

Dave Larrington said:

"What is the name of the butcher's shop in Yattendon?" Couldn't find
it; ill-disposed to go back.

That's probably because you were meant to be looking for a greengrocer. ;-)

(I presume you /are/ talking about the Kennett Valley Run?)

I am, but whatever variety of shop my aging memory-branes are failing to
recall, the only one I saw was a post office-cum-general store.
However, my eyesight was sufficiently unaffected by Wind to be able to
read Nik Windle's brevet card :-)

I once missed an info, went through the town though, then clmbed Fleet
Moss then asked aomeone what was forbidden in the school grounds in
Gayle. He told me the answer but when I recieved my card back there was
a note saying "be sure to get the info controls, Big Brother is
watching you". What a git if he did grass me up, it is clear from
where we were when I asked that I did go through the town. The is only
one road

Ian Blake said:

Maybe I
will change the date to avoid a big clash.

Good idea - a few on the AUK yahoogroup have expressed surprise at the
low turnout on certain rides, only to discover that said rides clashed
with National Series events.

Quoted message said:

There are many 100k riders
who will avoid any ride with AAA points

Funny that - I would be unlikely to contemplate a 100 that /didn't/ have
AAA points. :-)

Quoted message said:

The 200k is one of the most difficult 200s in the
calendar.

Throwing down the gauntlet are we, sir? Any more talk like that and I
might have to make the trek to Wales next year... :-)

d.

Dave Larrington said:

whatever variety of shop my aging memory-branes are failing to
recall, the only one I saw was a post office-cum-general store.

Fortunately, I have the returned brevet card to hand. The question was:
"Info: Yattendon, name of greengrocer/butcher on RHS opposite Adam and Eve."

You must have been going pretty fast at the time to miss it!

Quoted message said:

However, my eyesight was sufficiently unaffected by Wind to be able to
read Nik Windle's brevet card :-)

You cunning fox, you.

Mention of Mr Windle reminds me of a question I wanted to ask in
relation to the Poor Student: who sets info controls for organisers when
they take part in their own rides, eh?

d.

davek said:

Ian Blake said:

Maybe I
will change the date to avoid a big clash.

Good idea - a few on the AUK yahoogroup have expressed surprise at the
low turnout on certain rides, only to discover that said rides clashed
with National Series events.

Quoted message said:

There are many 100k riders
who will avoid any ride with AAA points

Funny that - I would be unlikely to contemplate a 100 that /didn't/ have
AAA points. :-)

Quoted message said:

The 200k is one of the most difficult 200s in the
calendar.

Throwing down the gauntlet are we, sir? Any more talk like that and I
might have to make the trek to Wales next year... :-)

d.

Down the British has been ridden under ten hours once only.
Ride 'Round Rhondda has been ridden under eleven hours (just) by the
same person. (Richard Parrotte).

They will probably be seperated next year. Most people I asked think
one on the weekend is enough. Richard thinks they should stay
together to make a special weekend. (Richard only rode RRR). Gavin
Greenhow thinks they should stay together but after the PBP qualifiers
when everybody is fit. Everybody else I asked wanted them seperated.

The two who completed both were Mike Pain and Pete Coates. Dave Lewis
rode RRR to check the route in the preceding week. I did not get a
chance to speak to Mike or Pete after the British. I was plodding
around a long way behind.

In article <[email hidden]>, davek ([email hidden])

Quoted message said:

Dave Larrington said:

whatever variety of shop my aging memory-branes are failing to
recall, the only one I saw was a post office-cum-general store.

Fortunately, I have the returned brevet card to hand. The question was:
"Info: Yattendon, name of greengrocer/butcher on RHS opposite Adam and Eve."

You must have been going pretty fast at the time to miss it!

I don't think I saw Adam & Eve either. Were they a statue or a pub?

--
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/>
Life - loathe it or ignore it, you can't like it.

Dave Larrington said:

I don't think I saw Adam & Eve either. Were they a statue or a pub?

I don't remember. I have a feeling they were a hairdresser, but ISTR I
spotted RJ Cox's meat-and-two-veg emporium first in any case.

d.

Ian Blake said:

Down the British has been ridden under ten hours once only.
Ride 'Round Rhondda has been ridden under eleven hours (just) by the
same person. (Richard Parrotte).

Ah. Mr Maniac Grimpeur himself... Now I'm scared.

d.

M Series wrote

[I once missed an info, went through the town though, then clmbed Fleet
Moss then asked aomeone what was forbidden in the school grounds in
Gayle. He told me the answer but when I recieved my card back there was
a note saying "be sure to get the info controls, Big Brother is
watching you". What a git if he did grass me up, it is clear from
where we were when I asked that I did go through the town. The is only
one road[/QUOTE]

Hi Martin

The note on your returned brevet card was from me, winding you up!! Wondered if you ever received it.

It seemed a bit of a no-brainer to admit on a public forum that you "cheated" on an audax, when you don't know who is reading your messages and putting two and two together.

Keith
Audax validator

"Ian Blake" <NoNotMe@NotAnywhere> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

1 Direct error on the route sheet.
R@T which should of been L@T

not guilty 🙂

Alex

--
Mr R@T / General Lighting
Ipswich, Suffolk, Untied Kingdom
http://www.partyvibe.com

davek said:

Ah. Mr Maniac Grimpeur himself... Now I'm scared.

I rode the Tour of Flanders with Richard. He sure does climb well! Loved the
Maniac report -- it's got me thinking...

Simon Bennett said:

it's got me thinking...

Surely not... Have you lost your marbles?

On a more serious note, are you doing the Kent Corners 200? My records
tell me I did it in 10 hours two years ago, but I haven't managed a
sub-11-hour 200 since, so I don't know what I was on that day. Anyway,
it's a nice ride with only one hill of note - the one near Lyminge.
Fancy it?

d.

Keeff57 said:

M Series wrote

[I once missed an info, went through the town though, then clmbed Fleet
Moss then asked aomeone what was forbidden in the school grounds in
Gayle. He told me the answer but when I recieved my card back there was
a note saying "be sure to get the info controls, Big Brother is
watching you". What a git if he did grass me up, it is clear from
where we were when I asked that I did go through the town. The is only
one road

Hi Martin

The note on your returned brevet card was from me, winding you up!!
Wondered if you ever received it.

It seemed a bit of a no-brainer to admit on a public forum that you
"cheated" on an audax, when you don't know who is reading your messages
and putting two and two together.

Yebbut I didn't cheat.